The Michigan Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program (FCMP) has been in existence since 1980.  Prior to 1986, fish contaminant monitoring studies were conducted primarily to address specific problems.  In 1986, the FCMP was redesigned to allow a better assessment of chemical contamination in fish from the state's surface waters.  Fish contaminant data are used to determine whether fish from waters of the state are safe for human and wildlife consumption, and as a surrogate measure of bioaccumulative contaminants in surface water. 

The enhanced FCMP is consistent with existing DEQ programs and activities.  For example, the DEQ uses the existing 5-year basin units defined by the NPDES permitting program, which includes 45 watershed units based on drainage to the four Great Lakes.  Monitoring activities in each watershed include not only fish contaminants, but also macroinvertebrate and fish community evaluations, water chemistry, wildlife contaminant studies, and sediment chemistry.  Integrating the FCMP with the other activities, within the framework of the five-year permitting cycle, will ensure that the monitoring is closely linked with other DEQ programs and contributes to resource management decisions.

The specific objectives of the FCMP are to:

1. Determine whether fish from the waters of the state are safe for human consumption.
2. Measure whole fish contamination concentrations in the waters of the state.
3. Assess whether contaminant levels in fish are changing with time.
4. Assist in the identification of waters that may exceed standards and target additional monitoring activities.
5. Evaluate the overall effectiveness of DEQ programs in reducing contaminant levels in fish.
6. Identify waters of the state that are high quality.
7. Determine if new chemicals are bioaccumulating in fish from Michigan waters.

The fish contaminant program element consists of several components that, in combination, provide data necessary to achieve these objectives.  These include:

• Edible fish portion monitoring;
• Native whole fish trend monitoring;
• Young-of-the-year perch monitoring; and
• Caged fish monitoring.

Fish tissues are analyzed for bioaccumulative contaminants of concern.  These include mercury, PCBs, chlorinated pesticides (e.g. DDT/DDE/DDD), dioxins, and furans.  More recently, some fish tissues have been analyzed for polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs).  Data are reviewed each year to determine whether there are additional new parameters of concern for which the fish should be analyzed. 

All fish contaminant data are maintained in a Microsoft Access database.   The information is summarized in an annual fish contaminant report produced by the Water Bureau.

Related Links

• MDEQ's Fish Contaminant Database
• FCMP Review and Recommendations Report
• Department of Community Health Fish Advisories
• 2008 FCMP Report
• 2007 FCMP Report
• 2006 FCMP Report
• 2005 FCMP Report
• 2004 FCMP Report
• 2003 FCMP Report
• 2002 FCMP Report
• 2001 FCMP Report
• Trend Monitoring Workshop
• Map:  2001 FCMP Trend Locations
• MDEQ Fish Collection and Processing Procedure

For more information about the Fish Contaminant program element, contact Joseph Bohr at (517) 373-4704 or bohrj@michigan.gov